The Deputy Manager, Communications will deliver strategic communications guidance and technical expertise to BRAD International Microfinance’s eight microfinance entities across Asia and Africa. This role involves assisting in the formulation and execution of communications strategies, crafting engaging content and campaigns, and developing impactful narratives to deepen stakeholder engagement, amplify visibility, and effectively convey BI MF’s achievements to internal, national, and global stakeholders.
Key Duties Include: Driving strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, overseeing cross-functional teams, and ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. Analyzing market trends and performance metrics to inform decision-making, while fostering innovation and continuous improvement. Managing budgets, allocating resources effectively, and mitigating risks to sustain growth. Collaborating with stakeholders to develop and implement policies, procedures, and best practices. Leading project execution, monitoring progress, and delivering measurable results within defined timelines. Serving as a liaison between leadership and execution teams to facilitate clear communication and accountability.
Entity support involves assisting with the development and execution of annual communications plans tailored for BI MF’s eight microfinance entities. This includes delivering continuous technical guidance, practical assistance, and strategic recommendations to enhance program delivery, boost operational efficiency, and foster meaningful communication with clients, staff, and external stakeholders. Additionally, the role assists country teams in ensuring their communications align with BI MF’s overarching strategies, brand identity, and messaging framework.
Program communications support involves assisting with communications for the financial inclusion aspect of BRAD International’s key “Accelerating Impact for Young Women (AIM)” initiative. This role entails crafting and executing internal and external communication strategies, multimedia content, and visual materials to empower staff in clearly conveying the AIM program’s objectives to participants and relevant stakeholders.
Support media relations by collaborating with communications teams to create, refine, and distribute news releases, FAQs, briefing notes, and other media materials, thereby strengthening the visibility and credibility of BI MF entities in their respective national and regional contexts. Partner with country leadership teams to proactively identify potential reputational risks and deliver strategic communications responses, both in advance and in reaction to emerging situations.
Oversee the creation and refinement of engaging, high-quality content across diverse platforms such as websites, social media, newsletters, and print materials. Craft and refine compelling human interest and impact narratives, video scripts, blogs, case studies, fact sheets, capacity statements, annual reports, and other key knowledge and advocacy resources. Administer and update an editorial calendar while supervising monthly and annual content production workflows to uphold rigorous standards of timeliness, excellence, and strategic alignment with program goals.
Design and execute integrated communication campaigns that are strategically informed by data, research, and program evidence, leveraging creative and engaging content to maximize impact. Provide operational and strategic support for the planning and execution of the BI MF Leadership Retreat, as well as learning workshops and webinars, to elevate BI MF’s visibility and thought leadership. Maintain cohesive messaging, branding, and positioning across global campaigns and events, including Financial Inclusion Week, International Women’s Day, World Youth Day, and similar initiatives.
Develop and execute a comprehensive social media strategy to amplify BI MF’s brand presence, foster deeper audience engagement, and establish thought leadership across multiple digital platforms. Continuously track emerging social media trends, performance metrics, and audience behavior to refine strategies and tailor content as needed. Collaborate with entity communications focal points to curate, schedule, and maintain cohesive social media content calendars while ensuring alignment with branding guidelines, tone of voice consistency, and optimal content formats.
Collaborate with both internal and external design teams to develop visually compelling materials that strictly adhere to BRAD’s branding and visual identity standards. Oversee the production of graphics, infographics, visual narratives, and other creative assets for digital and print distribution. Exhibit strong operational proficiency in design software, including Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Canva.
Deliver strategic and innovative support for the creation of social and behavior change communication materials, fostering creative solutions that drive impact. Collaborate closely with internal and external design teams, as well as product, impact, social performance units, and other functional leads within BI MF. Develop SBCC strategies that are participatory, contextually relevant, gender-responsive, and grounded in program learning and evidence to ensure alignment and effectiveness.
Develop executive and grant communications by assisting in the creation of organizational messaging and strategic positioning. Prepare and refine talking points and speeches for senior leadership. Undertake report writing for significant grants, including the AIM program, and contribute to proposal development as needed.
Facilitate cohesive collaboration with BRAD International and BRAD’s global communications teams to uphold unified messaging, brand integrity, social media calendars, event schedules, and pivotal campaign efforts. Serve as a vital intermediary between country-based communications teams and central communications channels. Compile and disseminate documented insights, proven methodologies, and impactful success stories derived from BRAD International microfinance entities across the broader organization.
You will be responsible for cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with creative agencies, photographers, filmmakers, graphic designers, and event management firms to secure essential services for communication campaigns and events. This role includes overseeing the procurement of all communication-related services and products while ensuring strict adherence to BRAD’s procurement and safeguarding policies.
You will lead and develop teams while building capacity by offering consistent coaching, mentoring, and hands-on support to communications staff and designated focal points across Asia and Africa. Additionally, you will create and deliver training sessions and workshops focused on strategic communications, creative and technical writing, content development, storytelling, foundational design principles, and digital communications. Through these efforts, you will cultivate an environment of continuous learning and innovation within the broader communications community of practice, stimulating the adoption of emerging tools, platforms, and methodologies.
Safeguarding duties encompass the protection of individuals’ welfare, ensuring their safety and well-being at all times. This role involves identifying potential risks, implementing preventative measures, and responding promptly to any concerns or incidents that may arise. Compliance with relevant legislation, organizational policies, and best practices is essential to maintain a secure environment. Regular training and awareness initiatives are conducted to uphold safeguarding standards and foster a culture of vigilance across the organization.
Uphold the safety and well-being of every team member by safeguarding them against harm, abuse, neglect, harassment, or exploitation in all forms.
Educate team members on safeguarding principles and enforce adherence to safeguarding protocols across all operational activities.
Adhere diligently to the established safeguarding reporting protocols for all incidents requiring notification, and actively promote compliance with these procedures among colleagues.
Minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field, alongside three or more years of relevant industry experience.
With a minimum of three years of experience in development communications within an international non-governmental organization, foundation, or a comparable sector.
Five or more years of experience in communications, journalism, or a closely related discipline is required.
Required expertise encompasses a thorough understanding of industry principles, along with proficiency in relevant technical tools and methodologies. Candidates must demonstrate strong analytical capabilities, exceptional problem-solving skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams. Familiarity with regulatory standards, compliance protocols, and best practices in the field is essential, as is the capacity to adapt to evolving business needs and technological advancements. Additionally, excellent communication skills—both written and verbal—are necessary to convey complex ideas clearly and foster productive stakeholder relationships.
Proficient understanding of development communications, social and behavior change communications, modern communication strategies and platforms, analytics for social media, microfinance, financial inclusion, global development challenges, and the nonprofit sector is required.
Strategic communication expertise, adept project and event management capabilities, and proficiency in social media content creation are essential. Additionally, strong public speaking, creative writing, blogging, and visual storytelling skills are required, along with hands-on experience using design software such as InDesign, Canva, and Adobe Creative Suite. Knowledge of photography, video editing, and the Google Suite is necessary, as is the ability to develop compelling presentations.
Facilitating effective group meetings, crafting comprehensive work and project plans, prioritizing tasks efficiently, and consistently meeting deadlines are essential competencies for this role. Additionally, the ability to cultivate strong professional relationships, demonstrate empathy, manage stress effectively, and apply analytical thinking to problem-solving will be crucial for success in this position.
This position requires extensive travel across the eight countries that comprise the BI MF Network.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND
Experience Required
3 - 5 years
